U.S. patent application number 14/762059 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-10 for lighting assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is RAVES EQUIPMENT COMPANY. Invention is credited to Wael M. Hannawa, Ramize Sheena.
Application Number | 20150354765 14/762059 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51210123 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150354765 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hannawa; Wael M. ; et
al. |
December 10, 2015 |
LIGHTING ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A modular track light emitting diode (LED) lighting assembly is
provided for improved product lighting in display cases, including
refrigeration applications. The modular track LED lighting assembly
has a series of LED, including one or more flat LED arranged at an
angle to form a lighting spine. In a specific inventive embodiment,
the one or more flat LED are arranged at a forty five degree angle.
Embodiments of the modular track LED lighting assembly may be
configured with a single sided series of light sources or single
lighting spine for installation on corners or shelves, or with a
double sided series of light sources or lighting spines for
mounting on mullions between doors of a display cabinet. The
lighting assembly may be powered via battery, or via an alternating
current (AC) source that is converted to a direct current (DC)
voltage.
Inventors: |
Hannawa; Wael M.; (West
Bloomfield, MI) ; Sheena; Ramize; (West Bloomfield,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
RAVES EQUIPMENT COMPANY |
Auburn Hills |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51210123 |
Appl. No.: |
14/762059 |
Filed: |
January 21, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
January 21, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2014/012223 |
371 Date: |
July 20, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61754053 |
Jan 18, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
362/92 ; 362/221;
362/223 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21V 21/005 20130101;
A47F 3/001 20130101; F21S 4/28 20160101; F21V 33/0044 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F21S 4/00 20060101
F21S004/00; F21V 33/00 20060101 F21V033/00; F21V 23/00 20060101
F21V023/00; F21V 21/005 20060101 F21V021/005 |
Claims
1. A modular track lighting assembly for display cases comprising:
an elongated support structure that encloses a printed circuit
board; one or more lighting spines supported at an angle by said
elongated support structure, where the lighting spines face away
from each other; one or more light emitting diodes (LED)
individually mounted at a second angle on said one or more lighting
spines; a set of mounting brackets joined to said elongated
support; one or more lenses enclosing said one or more lighting
spines; a pair of end caps at opposing ends of said modular track
lighting assembly that seal said assembly; and wherein said printed
circuit board is in electrical communication with said lighting
spines.
2. The modular track lighting assembly of claim 1 wherein said
elongated support structure is made of metal, plastic, or a
composite material.
3. The modular track lighting assembly of claim 1 wherein said
printed circuit board distributes power to said one or more
lighting spines where the power is supplied by on-board
batteries.
4. The modular track lighting assembly of claim 1 wherein said
printed circuit board distributes power to said lighting spines
where the power is supplied by an AC to DC converter.
5. The modular track lighting assembly of claim 1 wherein said
lighting spines are supported at an angle of between thirty and
sixty degrees by said elongated support structure.
6. The modular track lighting assembly of claim 1 wherein said
lighting spines are supported at an angle of thirty five to sixty
degrees by said elongated support structure.
7. The modular track lighting assembly of claim 1 wherein said one
or more LED are flat LED.
8. The modular track lighting assembly of claim 1 wherein said
second angle is 45 degrees.
9. The modular track lighting assembly of claim 1 wherein said one
or more lenses are clear, colored, or opaque.
10. The modular track lighting assembly of claim 1 wherein said one
or more lenses are curved or straight surfaces.
11. The modular track lighting assembly of claim 1 wherein said
display cases are refrigeration units.
12. The modular track lighting assembly of claim 1 configured as a
single sided series of light sources comprising a single lighting
spine of said one or more lighting spines for installation on
corners or shelves of said display cases.
13. The modular track lighting assembly of claim 1 configured as a
double sided series of light sources comprising two lighting spines
of said one or more lighting spines each supported at an opposing
angle by said elongated support structure, where the lighting
spines face away from each other; and wherein said double sided
series of light sources is designed for mounting on mullions of
said display cases.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority benefit of US Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/754,053 filed Jan. 18, 2013; the contents
of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention in general relates to the field of
lighting and in particular to a lighting assembly suitable for use
in display cases.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Commercial refrigerators and refrigerated display cases
(coolers and freezers) are used in markets, food-vending
operations, liquor stores for the preservation of freshness and
attractive display of product to the customer. Typically,
commercial display cases have frames defining a rectangular opening
for the case which is accessed through sliding doors or swing doors
having large areas of multi-layered glazing to permit the customer
to see, select and access the refrigerated product easily, while
preventing heat transfer into the refrigerated space. The display
case frame includes an upper frame member, a lower frame member,
two laterally spaced side frame members extending vertically
between the upper and the lower frame members, and one or more
mullions which extend vertically between the upper frame member and
the lower frame member and connected thereto. The mullion provides
support for the cabinet frame, associated doors, and also provides
a sealing surface against which portions of the door assemblies
engage and seal for effective sealing of the refrigerated cabinet.
Typically, mullions are also equipped with electrical conduits for
delivering electrical power to anti-condensation devices for the
door assemblies and for a fluorescent lighting fixture associated
with the mullion.
[0004] Conventional refrigerated display cases typically include a
fluorescent light source to illuminate the product display area.
Some refrigerated display cases include fluorescent light sources
coupled to a canopy of the refrigerated display cases to direct
light generally downward onto the food product in the product
display area. These refrigerated display cases also may include
fluorescent light sources attached to shelves in the product
display area. Generally, the fluorescent light sources used in
conventional refrigerated merchandisers are relatively large, and
can reduce the amount of space in the refrigerated merchandiser
that can be allocated to displaying food product. Fluorescent light
sources also generate heat which causes the refrigeration unit to
work harder and consume more energy.
[0005] Furthermore, the effectiveness of fluorescent light sources
is dependent on the temperature of the application where the
fluorescent light sources are used. In colder temperature
conditions, the fluorescent light source has less light output than
in application of the fluorescent light source in warmer
temperature conditions. As a result, fluorescent light sources
within the refrigerated display cases have substantially reduced
effective illumination of the products within the product display
area. Additionally, at lower operating temperatures initiating the
required arc to illuminate a fluorescent tube is difficult.
[0006] Known lighting assemblies often also suffer from a number of
problems when it comes to lighting display cases including issues
pertaining to efficiency, lighting uniformity, consumer appeal,
customization, and maintenance. Lighting assemblies often allow
light to escape the display case and bleed out into the external
environment. However, this escaping light could be put to better
use lighting the item(s) on display, whereby less powerful and/or
or fewer light sources could be employed. Further, lighting
assemblies generally do not uniformly light a display case. For
example, such assemblies generally fail to direct enough light to
the center of a display case, resulting in much higher luminance in
front of a mullion, as compared to the center of the display case.
However, uniform luminance is preferable as it makes more efficient
use of the available luminance and may allow fewer light sources
and/or less powerful light sources.
[0007] Recently, fluorescent light sources have begun to be phased
out in favor light emitting diodes (LED) technology. Fluorescent
tubes are relatively inefficient by comparison to LEDs, since
fluorescent tubes produce more heat than LEDs and LEDs provide more
control over the direction of light provided. Fluorescent tubes do
not have nearly as long an operating life as typical LED.
[0008] Thus, there exists a need for modular track LED lighting
that provides for improved product lighting in display cases,
including refrigeration applications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] A modular track lighting assembly for display cases is
provided that includes an elongated support structure that encloses
a printed circuit board; one or more lighting spines supported at
an angle by the elongated support structure, where the lighting
spines face away from each other; one or more light emitting diodes
(LED) individually mounted at a second angle on the one or more
lighting spines; a set of mounting brackets joined to the elongated
support; one or more lenses enclosing the one or more lighting
spines; a pair of end caps at opposing ends of the assembly that
seal the assembly; and wherein the printed circuit board is in
electrical communication with the lighting spines.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The subject matter that is regarded as the invention is
particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at
the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other
objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent
from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to
like parts throughout the several views, and in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a
double sided modular lighting assembly;
[0012] FIG. 2A is a is a plan view of the embodiment of the double
sided modular lighting assembly of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 2B is a plan view of the embodiment of one of the end
caps of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a
single sided modular lighting assembly;
[0015] FIG. 4A is a is a plan view of the embodiment of the single
sided modular lighting assembly of FIG. 3;
[0016] FIG. 4B is a plan view of the embodiment of one of the end
caps of FIG. 3;
[0017] FIG. 5 is top sectional view of LEDs arranged on a lighting
spine of the double sided modular lighting assembly of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a rear partial view of the double sided modular
lighting assembly of FIG. 1 illustrating one of the mounting
brackets; and
[0019] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a commercial refrigeration display
case.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] The present invention has utility as a modular track light
emitting diode (LED) lighting assembly that provides for improved
product lighting in display cases, including refrigeration
applications. Embodiments of the modular track LED lighting
assembly have a series of LED, including one or more flat LED
arranged at an angle to form a lighting spine. In a specific
inventive embodiment, the one or more flat LED are arranged at a
forty five degree angle. Embodiments of the modular track LED
lighting assembly may be configured with a single sided series of
light sources or single lighting spine for installation on corners
or shelves, or with a double sided series of light sources or
lighting spines for mounting on mullions between doors of a display
cabinet. Embodiments of the lighting assembly may be powered via
battery, or via an alternating current (AC) source that is
converted to a direct current (DC) voltage.
[0021] It is to be understood that in instances where a range of
values are provided that the range is intended to encompass not
only the end point values of the range but also intermediate values
of the range as explicitly being included within the range and
varying by the last significant figure of the range. By way of
example, a recited range of from 1 to 4 is intended to include 1-2,
1-3, 2-4, 3-4, and 1-4.
[0022] With reference to the attached figures, an inventive modular
track double sided LED lighting assembly is depicted generally at
10 in FIG. 1. The modular track double sided lighting assembly 10
is formed from with an elongated support structure 14 that encloses
a printed circuit board 20. The elongated support structure 14 may
be made of metal, plastic, or a composite material. The printed
circuit board 20 distributes power to lighting spines 28 that is
optionally supplied by on-board batteries, or is configured with an
AC to DC converter. The lighting spines 28 are supported at an
angle between thirty and sixty degrees by the elongated support
structure 14, where the lighting spines 28 face away from each
other. In an embodiment, the lighting spines 28 are supported at a
forty five degree angle by the elongated support structure 14. The
lighting spines 28 have one or more LEDs 16 mounted to the lighting
spines 28. In a specific inventive embodiment, the LEDs 16 are
mounted at a forty five degree angle as shown in FIG. 5. Lenses 12
cover and seal the lighting spines 28. The lenses 12 may be clear,
colored, or opaque. The lenses 12 may have a curved or straight
surface. The lighting assembly 10 has end caps 22 that are joined
to the assembly 10 with fasteners 26, and the end caps 22 act to
seal the assembly 10. Mounting brackets 24 attached to the lighting
assembly 10 with fastener 26 are used to secure the lighting
assembly 10 to a mullion. FIG. 2A is a is a side plan view of the
embodiment of the double sided modular lighting assembly of FIG. 1,
and FIG. 2B is a front plan view of the embodiment of one of the
end caps 22 that shows the curved areas 25 that accommodate the two
curved lenses 12 of the double sided LED lighting assembly 10. FIG.
6 shows a rear sectional view of the lighting assembly 10 that
shows the rear portion of the elongated support structure 14 with
the end cap 22 and mounting bracket 14.
[0023] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a
single sided modular lighting assembly 30. The single sided modular
lighting assembly 30 is formed with an elongated support structure
14A that encloses the printed circuit board 20. The elongated
support structure may be made of metal, plastic, or a composite
material. The printed circuit board 20 distributes power to a
single lighting spine 28 that is optionally supplied by on board
batteries, or is configured with an AC to DC converter. The single
lighting spine 28 is supported at an angle between thirty and sixty
degrees by elongated support structure 14A. In an embodiment, the
lighting spine 28 is supported at a forty five degree angle by the
elongated support structure 14A. The lighting spine 28 has one or
more LEDs 16 mounted to the lighting spine 28. In an embodiment the
LEDs 16 are mounted at an angle of between 35 and 60 degrees, as
shown in FIG. 5 for the specific example of a 45 degree angle. A
single lens 12 covers and seals the lighting spine 28. The lens 12
may be clear, colored, or opaque. The lens 12 may have a curved or
straight surface. The lighting assembly 30 has end caps 22A that
are joined to the assembly 30 with fasteners 26, and the end caps
22A act to seal the assembly 30. Mounting brackets 24 attached to
the lighting assembly 30 with fastener 26 are used to secure the
lighting assembly 30 to a mullion. FIG. 4A is a is a side plan view
of the embodiment of the single sided modular lighting assembly of
FIG. 3, and FIG. 4B is a front plan view of the embodiment of one
of the end caps 22A that shows the single curved area 25A that
accommodate the single curved lens 12 of the single sided LED
lighting assembly 30.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a commercial refrigeration display
case 32 enclosed by window doors 34 with shelving 36 for display of
products 38. Single sided modular lighting assembly 30 is
positioned on the ends of the display case 32, and double sided
lighting assembly 10 are positioned on the mullions 40.
[0025] The foregoing description is illustrative of particular
embodiments of the invention, but is not meant to be a limitation
upon the practice thereof. The following claims, including all
equivalents thereof, are intended to define the scope of the
invention.
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